Omaha homeless organization, mayor say city’s coordinator making an impact

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Since December 2022, homeless services coordinator Tamara Dwyer has been the city’s go-to for helping with those who don’t have a shelter.

“I think she has done a fantastic job,” said Mayor Jean Stothert earlier this week. “I’ve told everybody this — her history — is she had a period of time she was homeless. She has really, really been successful in her career now.”

The mayor had set aside ARPA funding for two years to pay Dwyer’s $90,000 annual salary. When that ends, Stothert will switch her salary over into the General Fund.

Stothert said she’s happy with the work Dwyer’s been doing, which goes beyond cleaning up homeless encampments. She said so far, Dwyer has placed around 90 families into shelter or directed them toward other resources.

“She does give notices to vacate, but trying to get them the services that are available that they need,” Stothert said.

The Open Door Mission said it’s been serving more people this year.

The organization’s chief impact officer, Steve Frazee, said a big part of that has to do with Dwyer’s efforts directing people toward organizations like his, the Siena Francis House, or Joshua House.

“The new increase in folks is something that we usually are prepared for in November, December, January, sometime into February, about that period of time,” Frazee said. “But now, it’s the new norm.”

While he said that’s increased his group’s workload, it’s good that more people are getting the help they need.

“All of the shelters do a wonderful job of connecting you with getting your Medicaid, getting — if you qualify for SNAP — doing that,” Frazee said. “Just beginning that whole process of disability or getting things coordinated with you in addition to getting employment.”

One thing he would like to see Dwyer work on is more permanent supportive housing opportunities for people after their time with the Open Door Mission.

6 News reached out to Dwyer, but she was not available for comment.

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